Brian Lowney: Popularity of German shepherd easy to understand

The iconic German shepherd dog is one of world's most easily recognized, popular and versatile breeds.

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By BRIAN LOWNEY

southcoasttoday.com

By BRIAN LOWNEY

Posted Jun. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 31, 2013 at 4:19 PM

By BRIAN LOWNEY

Posted Jun. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 31, 2013 at 4:19 PM

» Social News

The iconic German shepherd dog is one of world's most easily recognized, popular and versatile breeds.

Known for its keen intelligence and loyalty, this noble herding dog has excelled for more than 100 years as a guide for the sight impaired, aided law enforcement in a variety of capacities, assisted farmers by keeping flocks together and served as a beloved family pet and protector.

The breed, which was developed in the late 1800's by farmers from indigenous, farming stock to herd sheep and protect flocks from predators, ranked second in the number of registrations for 2012 according to the American Kennel Club. It was the fourth consecutive year that the athletic herding dog captured that position on the AKC's top ten list, falling behind the Labrador retriever.

Surprisingly, the German shepherd dog is a relatively new breed when compared to other herding breeds, such as the Pembroke Welsh corgi, whose lineage can be traced for several hundred years.

America's great interest in the German shepherd dog blossomed shortly after World War I when Rin-Tin-Tin, a rescued war dog, appeared on the silver screen. The canine was an immediate box office success and was followed by a succession of similar dogs all bearing the same moniker whose fearlessness captured the attention of the young and old alike for decades, first in movies and later on television.

Some readers may remember the popular TV children's series "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin," which aired in the late 1950s, starring an orphaned young boy and his dog who were adopted by soldiers in the United States Cavalry, and who subsequently helped the officers keep law and order in the Wild West.

As young American families moved to suburbia in the late 1950s and early 1960's, the GSD became a popular family pet. New owners quickly appreciated the breed's keen intelligence and noble character.

Fairhaven resident Susan Amaral has been a fan of German shepherd dogs for 50 years, and began her lifelong interest in the breed when her parents Conrad and Shirley Richard of Acushnet purchased a hardy dog named Sam to protect their three young daughters. Amaral's aunt, Barbara Plant of Dartmouth, a respected breeder of champion Norwegian elkhounds, recommended the breed.

"I think he is the reason why I continued by love for the shepherd," Amaral, now age 58, begins. "It was his loyalty and his protection."

Amaral says Sam lived for 14 years and inspired her to own these dogs for most of her adult life. She admits that her husband Keith and children Valerie and Bradley have also acquired a love for the handsome breed.

The longtime dog fanciers currently share their home with Jazz, a 10 year-old spayed female, and Uno, a neutered 10 month-old male, who recently started training to compete in rally exercises.

Uno was bred by local veterinarian Dr. Christine Gaumont, owner of Acushnet Animal Hospital, and a respected longtime breeder of German shepherd dogs.

"He's the most incredible German shepherd that we've ever owned," Amaral tells, adding that the handsome black and red-colored dog has a luxurious coat and a "solid temperament" that makes Uno a pleasure to own.

"Not much bothers him," the dog's owner adds, noting that these dogs make "excellent companions."

According to the American Kennel Club, a German shepherd dog should give an impression of that of a strong, agile, well-muscled animal that is confident, alert and full of life. Dogs that are either shy or aggressive should be disqualified from the ring at competitions.

Amaral emphasizes that these powerful, medium-sized dogs need to be taught manners.

"Training a German shepherd is a job," she admits, adding that Gaumont starts teaching her young puppies basic manners before they are sold to their new homes.

"If you don't start it when they are young, a German shepherd will train you," Amaral warns.

As Uno matures, the dog continues obedience training under the guidance of John Soule, owner of Battleship K-9 in Fall River, a German shepherd dog breeder and obedience instructor with more than four decades of experience.

"I love him," Soule says of his prized canine pupil. "Uno is what a shepherd should be."

The training instructor also emphasizes that shepherds, like all dogs, need structure.

"They are working dogs and they need training to work seamlessly with their owner," he says. "The dogs look for direction, they accept it willingly and perform it willingly."

Several years ago, Amaral wove her interest in dogs and skills as a potter together to design dog bone and paw print ornaments that she creates in her home studio.